Former Norwich police officer Kenneth Nieves, arraigned in Norwich Superior Court Thursday on multiple felony sexual assault charges, was not in the mood to speak to reporters.

After a brief appearance in front of Judge Hunchu Kwak, Nieves shed his jacket and tie for a T-shirt and left the courthouse at a full sprint in an attempt to elude camera crews waiting outside.

Nieves, 45, who resigned from the police department earlier this year amid allegations of inappropriate conduct, turned himself in to state police in Colchester on Dec. 1. He was charged by warrant with three counts each of second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor for allegations he sexually assaulted a minor.

Nieves’ alleged crimes occurred in 2003, according to court documents, a year after he joined the police department.

In court Thursday, Judge Kwak transferred the case to New London’s Part A court for serious felonies. The case was continued to Jan. 9. Kwak also ordered Nieves to make no contact, including by text message or through a third party, with the alleged victim.

The details of the allegations contained in an arrest warrant affidavit remained sealed by a court order. State prosecutor Thomas Griffin, in his request to keep the affidavit sealed, cited a continuing investigation.

“Because of the violent and serious nature of the crimes being investigated, the personal safety of the witnesses also could be jeopardized by disclosure of the affidavit,” Griffin wrote.

Nieves initially was placed on administrative leave from the department in September when an internal investigation into the inappropriate activity began.

The allegations that prompted the probe were never made public. Fusaro has said he planned to fire Nieves before he resigned and information uncovered during the internal investigation led to the criminal investigation.

Nieves remains free after posting $50,000 bail. He declined to comment and is not represented by an attorney yet.

Court records show Nieves’ wife, Andria Nieves, filed for divorce Dec. 20, after 21 years of marriage. The couple have two children together. Nieves has an address listed on Parum Road in Colchester.